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CDOT outlines resurfacing, safety and wildlife fencing plans for Highway 285; Kings Valley interchange remains unfunded
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Summary
CDOT resident engineer described completed resurfacing between Bailey and Pine Junction, a 2027 resurfacing from Pine Junction to Fox Road, a proposed 2028 Parmalee Gulch–Sims project, multiple safety improvements and wildlife fencing, and said the Kings Valley interchange is shelved for lack of funding.
A resident engineer from the Colorado Department of Transportation told Conifer residents that multiple resurfacing and safety projects are planned for Highway 285 but that a major interchange remains unfunded.
"285 falls under my jurisdiction," said Tom Leonardo, who outlined recent and upcoming work. He reported that resurfacing from Bailey to Pine Junction was completed this summer and that a combined resurfacing project for Pine Junction to Fox Road is scheduled for 2027 after a delay from 2026. He said another resurfacing is proposed for Parmalee Gulch to Sims in 2028.
Leonardo described project elements beyond pavement: replacing deficient guardrail, upgrading the traffic signal at Pine Valley with mast arms, improving pedestrian crossings, widening a northbound right-turn pocket for sight-distance, and installing wildlife fencing with deer guards and game ramp jump-outs along specified segments. He said the wildlife fencing will require coordination with private property owners adjacent to the right-of-way.
On the Kings Valley interchange, Leonardo said cost and heavy utility relocations have left the project without funding and effectively on hold pending federal grants or other sources.
CDOT said it is exploring interim options to improve safety and traffic operations in the corridor while awaiting funding for larger elements of the program.
